What Are The Benefits?
Author
Thomas Wiest
CEO, Aspirience Home Care
Today marks the one year anniversary that I have been writing this newsletter. It seems like it went by so fast without any changes. However, there have been many changes. We have sponsored several conventions and meetings this past year, we’ve done presentations to local groups on the state of home care in general, the Veterans home in Minneapolis has gone through trauma with being fined by the state for lack of care, my mom passed away in May and the list goes on and on. Needless to say, there has been change that we have had to adapt to.
I wanted to write about the benefits of home care again in this ever changing world. November has been set aside as “National Home Care and National Hospice Month” to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to caring for others. A time for us to say thanks.
Traditionally delivered at patients’ homes throughout the centuries, home care is the oldest form of health care. It is also the newest.
Modern technology has evolved to the point where virtually anything that is available in a hospital can also be provided at home. And there is significant evidence that home care is less costly than other forms of care.
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice believes we as a society need to re-examine the reasons why home care is a viable, cost saving model of health care delivery. Here are just a few of the many reasons to consider home care:
1. Home care helps the elderly maintain their independence.
2. Home care prevents or postpones institutionalization. Few want to be placed in a nursing home unless it is the only choice.
3. Much scientific evidence indicates that patients heal more quickly at home.
4. Home care is safer. Some 20 percent of people who enter hospitals develop complications, such as infections.
5. Home care reduces stress.
6. Home care nurses and aides consider what they do a calling rather than a job.
7. In many of the rural or dense urban areas, home care is the only available form of health care.
8. Home care improves quality of life.
9. Home care is less expensive than other forms of care, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
10. The Internet will increasingly make it possible to diagnose, monitor, and treat illness at a distance, allowing patients to stay home and health professionals to save time.
Clearly there is evidence that taking care of someone at home is the best form of living and knowing there is a helping hand to walk you through that change is even better.
It’s important to know, Aspirience Home Care can help you with home care.